5 replies to this topic

[Bill Forrester]

For the last 4 or so years I have been writing about places and things that are accessible and building our database as a useful tool.
While this article is not destination based I would ask your indulgence and time to think about how we can change the attitude of venues, hoteliers, resorts and attractions each time we visit them.
The common thread has always been that even where there have been great accessible facilities there has been little if any information published and even where it is available it is lacking critical detail. Unfortunately most organisations still regard accessibility as a compliance issue and don't give any regard to the needs of a disabled traveller and certainly don't regard them as a valuable customer. The following article explores moving away from a social model of disability to an economic one and how that may change the products offered to travelers with a disability. It is timely with the introduction of information requirements under the ADA from March of next year.
The Economic Model of Disability

[Tetracyclone]

Bill, your work is fabulous and I look forward to seeing results in unlikely places!

[sgrunt]

Hi, in my opinion these are the points that travel industry should focus:

1) Disabled tourism is off season. Since a lot of disabled people do not work (unfortunately) they can choose to travel when hotels, cities, attractions are less crowded and lower priced. Let's imagine how this would be good for an hotel that is empty during winter months.
2) Disabled people do not travel alone. So you can count on one or more helpers, parents, friends as customers.
3) Disabled people spread their experience: be sure that they'll pass the info about how accessible your hotel is.
4) A lot of disabled people makes part of associations, or at least web communities. They can promote you widely or directly bringing big associations groups.
5) A disabled customer is a returning customer. If he or she has been fine with your hotel, will come back because he knows that there will be no problems.
6) The presence of disabled customers impress other people about comfort and accessibility. Elder people, pregnants, families with little babies will notice the absence of barriers.
7) If your hotel is located in a not so accessible city, you'll be sure that the disabled customer will also eat at the hotel restaurant, will spend time and money at the lobby bar. So you'll triplicate your income.

So travel industry should aim to have disabled customers.

[HiltonP]

I have always believed that the only way to true accessible tourism is through sound economic principles. It has also been
my experience that those establishments who follow this idea on average provide a better standard of accessibility than those
who feel they are socially or morally obligated to do so.

I am always said "don't make anything accessible because you feel sorry for me, make it accessible because you want my money".

[nomis]

The economic model of disability seems inevitable as the way to get a response from businesses and is in line with general trends. But there is a real danger that it will be zealously implemented at the expense of desirable social considerations.

Any change that generates a positive business response will appeal to those in business because money talks. But, at its extreme, you can end up with pushing aside decency and inclusion for greed and elitism.

It's not one way or the other. It should be a combined Medical-Social-Economic model.

Edited by nomis, 20 September 2011 - 12:06 AM.

[bruceofmaui]

The economic model sounds good and all of us free marketeers want to believe in it but in reality the ADA which is government dictated and mandates accessibility in hotels has provided much better results to me. I can travel almost anywhere in America and have a choice of hotels with roll in showers. Did a roadtrip from Vancouver WA to Akron OH and back and then a Vancouver to Denver to Alburqueque to Phoenux, Vegas and then back home VIA Pacific coast all with roll in showers. In Vancouver which has a 1 million plus people, world class amenities and I have a choice of only 4 hotels to choose from and 2 of those are marginal. You would think that in Vancouver of all places, the ecomic model would have been a success for accessible accommodation after having a quad mayor, home of Rick Hansen Foundation and hosting the Paralympics. But the reality isn't there. On the flipside the economic model has worked for my accessible condo rental on Maui www.mauiaccessiblecondo.com My offering of the accessible accommadation that disabled folks want has given me much better occupancy rates then other condo owners in my complex, I don't have to compete on price discounts that other generic condos are, people adjust their desired dates to fit my openings and people who rent my place are very appreciative of it's specialness and treat it very well http://www.tripadvis...aui_Hawaii.html . No damage but usual wear andtear although we have had an accidental hole in the drywall a couple of times and no theftery in fact folk have purchased many items over the years (new DVD player when they were the new techology). Interesting topic and I'll write more later. Aloha Bruce